Gary Neville and Roy Keane have previously outlined what needs to be the priority for Manchester United’s hierarchy – in what could be Jason Wilcox’s first job at the club.. United are interested in appointing Wilcox as their new technical director. Wilcox is currently the director of football at Southampton, a position he has held since last summer when he left his previous role at Manchester City as academy director.. Sir Jim Ratcliffe are looking to complete an overhaul of the club’s recruitment department and hierarchy following Ineos Group’s 25 per cent takeover earlier this year. That has already seen the appointment of Omar Berrada as the club’s new chief executive, while Dan Ashworth is wanted for an inaugural sporting director role, which he currently holds at Newcastle United.. Should Wilcox be appointed at United, he would join the new recruitment team that is being assembled by Ratcliffe and Ineos. Neville and Keane have already outlined that area of the club behind the scenes that needs to be a priority under the new ownership, which could fall under Wilcox’s responsibility if he is appointed.. READ MORE: United weakness has at least pointed them to their £47million solution to problem position. READ MORE: How Manchester United’s structure under Ineos will look with Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox on board. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, back in January, Neville explained why having the correct people in charge behind the scenes is vital to United achieving success in the future.. Neville said in January: “Why should the manager be responsible for spending £80million and £20m in salary for four years on a player, when they could potentially only be there for a year or two – why should they be the one who signs the player?. “What happens is you go into a window [with] all good intentions, all on the same page thinking, ‘we need four players’, and you pick the profile of the player that you want. He’s got to be six foot, he’s got to hold the ball up, he’s got to score 10 to 15 goals – you’re looking for that profile and then basically what you want is your head of recruitment, your sporting director and your team of scouts to go out there and bring back three or four really good options, and they bring back those three or four options to the table.. “The problem is, if you don’t get those three or four because they’re not available of some kind, or the manager doesn’t like them, that’s when you end up in a spin.”. Keane was alongside Neville on the podcast and agreed with his former United teammate. Keane did warn of the dangers that could happen from his own experience when the decision on a transfer is not made by the manager.. “There is this idea that managers should call the shots, but it is difficult,” said Keane. “I’ve been a manager and bought players – I bought some decent ones, but I look back and think, ‘What was I thinking with some?’.. “Of course, you have your staff and the chief of operations, but ultimately it would come down to the manager. But I’ve had it as well, when I’ve been at a club where the owner has pushed for a player, I’ve been reluctant, but the player has come in and not been very good.”. Try MUFC Pro NOW for free. Subscribe to our brilliant app for the best way to enjoy the M.E.N’s unrivalled Manchester United coverage.. No adverts, pop-ups or distractions – just our brilliant content presented in the best way possible.. Comprehensive, round-the-clock coverage of the Reds, with agenda-setting breaking news and insight from Samuel Luckhurst and our authoritative team of United writers. Exclusive content for subscribers. New interactive elements including (coming soon) quizzes to test your United knowledge.. Try MUFC Pro for a front-row seat to the action at absolutely no cost for the first month. You can get started by downloading our app here on iPhone, or here on Android. If you already have our app, click on the ”MUFC Pro’,’ Subscribe’ or ‘ Remove ads’ links.. *Free trial auto renews at £19.99 annually unless cancelled. T&C’s apply. Ad-free indicates that you will not be shown standard display ad formats with the articles that you read, selected articles may contain commercial messages/affiliate links where contractually required.
